Ousmane Sonko

Ousmane Sonko is a Senegalese politician who serves as Prime Minister of Senegal, having been appointed to the position in April 2024 following the election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He is the leader and founder of the Pastef (Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l'Éthique et la Fraternité) party, a pan-Africanist political movement established in 2014. Sonko rose to prominence as a vocal critic of Senegal's political establishment and French influence in West Africa, advocating for economic sovereignty, anti-corruption measures and greater control over national resources. He finished third in Senegal's 2019 presidential election, securing about 15% of the vote and establishing himself as a leading opposition figure. His political career has been marked by confrontations with the previous administration, including legal challenges and periods of detention that sparked widespread protests and civil unrest in Senegal. Sonko was barred from contesting the 2024 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, but he played a central role in the campaign of his protégé Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the presidency. As Prime Minister, Sonko has pursued an agenda focused on renegotiating contracts with foreign companies, reducing dependence on the CFA franc and promoting pan-African economic integration. His influence extends beyond Senegal, with his anti-establishment rhetoric resonating among youth and opposition movements across francophone West Africa. Before entering politics, Sonko worked as a tax inspector, a background that informs his focus on fiscal transparency and economic justice.